Chris Crader, owner of Harvest Pizzeria, is giving back to the organization that helped him open his first restaurant in 2012 by donating a portion of his restaurant’s proceeds to the Economic and Community Development Institute (ECDI). ECDI, based in Columbus, is the largest Small Business Administration microlender in the nation. As part of Small Business Week, Crader is giving back to the institute by donating some of his restaurant’s income from takeout pizza sales.
Crader credits ECDI with helping him open his first restaurant and stated that without their support, he wouldn’t be where he is today. In 2012, when Crader and his wife were unable to secure loans from commercial banks for Harvest Pizzeria, they turned to ECDI for help. With the institute’s support, they received a $75,000 loan through federal programs aimed at helping women and U.S. military veterans as well as valuable business-coaching services.
ECDI has provided over $177 million in loans since its inception in 2004 and has assisted more than 32,000 entrepreneurs through its educational programs. Today, Harvest Pizzeria has multiple locations in Bexley, the Brewery District